Davenant, or D'Avenant, Sir William
- Davenant, or D'Avenant, Sir William
(1606-1668)
Poet and dramatist, was b. at Oxf., where his f. kept an inn, which Shakespeare was in the habit of visiting. This had some influence on the future poet, who claimed to be Shakespeare's natural son. D., ed. at Lincoln Coll., was afterwards in the service of Lord Brooke, became involved in the troubles of the Civil War, in which he took the Royalist side, and was imprisoned in the Tower, escaped to France, and after returning was, in 1643, knighted. Later D. was employed on various missions by the King and Queen, was again in the Tower from 1650 to 1652, when he pub. his poem Gondibert. He is said to have owed his release to the interposition of Milton. In 1656 he practically founded the English Opera by his Siege of Rhodes (1656). In 1659 he was again imprisoned, but after the Restoration he seems to have enjoyed prosperity and Royal favour, and established a theatre, where he was the first habitually to introduce female players and movable scenery. D. wrote 25 dramatic pieces, among which are Albovine, King of the Lombards (1629), Platonick Lovers (1636), The Wits (1633), Unfortunate Lovers (1643), Love and Honour (1649). None of them are now read; and the same may be said of Gondibert, considered a masterpiece by contemporaries. D. succeeded Ben Jonson as Poet Laureate, and collaborated with Dryden in altering (and debasing) The Tempest. He coll. his miscellaneous verse under the title of Madagascar. He is said to have had the satisfaction of repaying in kind the good offices of Milton when the latter was in danger in 1660. He joined with Waller and others in founding the classical school of English poetry.
Short biographical dictionary of English literature .
John W. Cousin.
2011.
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D'Avenant, Sir William — (1606 1668) Born in Oxford, he was the son of John D Avenant, mayor of Oxford, although it was rumored that he was the natural son of William Shakespeare. His first play, The Cruell Brother, was performed in 1627. A severe case of syphilis (in … British and Irish poets
Davenant, Sir William — or William D Avenant born 1606, Oxford, Eng. died April 7, 1668, London British poet, playwright, and theatre manager. Early works include the comedy The Witts (licensed 1634) and a volume of poems, Madagascar (1638). He was made poet laureate in … Universalium
Davenant, Sir William — o William D Avenant (1606, Oxford, Inglaterra–7 abr. 1668, Londres). Poeta, dramaturgo y empresario teatral británico. Sus primeros trabajos abarcan la comedia The Witts [Los Witts] (autorizada en 1634) y un volumen de poemas, Madagascar (1638).… … Enciclopedia Universal
William Davenant — William D Avenant William D Avenant Sir William D Avenant (28 février 1606 à Oxford 7 avril 1668 à Londres), parfois aussi épelé Davenant en anglais, est un poète et dramaturge anglais, dont les œu … Wikipédia en Français
William D'Avenant — Sir William D Avenant (28 février 1606 à Oxford 7 avril 1668 à Londres), parfois aussi épelé Davenant en anglais, est un poète et dramaturge anglais, dont les œuvres sont caractéristiques de la … Wikipédia en Français
William Davenant — Sir William Davenant (baptised 3 March, 1606 ndash; April 7, 1668), also spelled D Avenant, was an English poet and playwright. Along with Thomas Killigrew, Davenant was one of the rare figures in English Renaissance theatre whose career spanned… … Wikipedia
William D'Avenant — William Davenant. William Davenant, auch William D Avenant (* Februar 1606 in Oxford; † 7. April 1668 in London) war ein englischer Schriftsteller und Theaterdirektor. Leben Davenant war der Sohn des Bürgermeisters von Oxford John Davenant und… … Deutsch Wikipedia
William Davenant — William Davenant. William Davenant, auch William D Avenant (* Februar 1606 in Oxford; † 7. April 1668 in London) war ein englischer Schriftsteller und Theaterdirektor. Leben Davenant war der Sohn des Bürgermeisters von Oxford John Davenant und… … Deutsch Wikipedia
Davenant — [ dævɪnənt], D Avenant, D avenant, Sir (seit 1643) William, englischer Dichter, getauft Oxford 3. 3. 1606, ✝ London 7. 4. 1668; gab sich als unehelicher Sohn Shakespeares aus; studierte in Oxford, stand dem Hof Karls I. nahe, wurde 1638 »Poet… … Universal-Lexikon
William — /wil yeuhm/, n. 1. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter W. 2. a male given name: from Germanic words meaning will and helmet. * * * (as used in expressions) Huddie William Ledbetter Aberhart William George William… … Universalium
